Julie Dufour has worked for six years in Lucent Technologies (Sophia Antipolis) as an administrative and financial assistant, where she was responsible for checking the European revenue of the company operations. Today, she is the Assistant Manager of Karine Valin and the liaison within the Homega Research team.
Pascale Fromont, Senior Analyst
"When I first joined Sigma Consultants, back in 1992, I was impressed by the company's renowned expertise in Information Technologies, and the responsiveness it demonstrated in keeping up with the latest technological progress, developments in standards and strategies of key players. Along the years, I found that this same reactivity was also instrumental in meeting customers' needs by providing very professional, yet customized, high-quality services. When I moved to the United States, I naturally kept on working with Homega Research, jet lag being the only reminder that I am just a little farther from my former colleagues than the office next door. I greatly value the tremendous team spirit and daily commitment to providing leading-edge analyses and top-level services to their customers."
A graduate of Ecole Centrale de Paris, Pascale Fromont also has a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in Physics. For over 10 years, Pascale used her strong scientific background to analyse world-wide markets in the Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Internet fields. During her time at Sigma in Sophia Antipolis (1992 to 2000), Pascale worked as an Analyst and Project Manager to conduct market intelligence activities and manage international projects. Since 2000, she remained involved in many of the research activities conducted by Sigma Consultants and, more particularly, by its Homega Research Division, from her Washington, D.C. office.
Florent Genoux, Project Manager
"Information technologies and innovation have always been of great interest to me, particularly during my studies and my first professional years. I truly believe in the spread of information technologies to all our homes and work environments and therefore feel particularly lucky to work at Homega Research and to be involved in exciting and innovative IT projects. With a young team backed by experienced and dedicated management, Homega Research provides a great environment in which care for rigour, quality and constant improvement are key motivating factors."
Florent graduated from CERAM, a leading French Business School based in Sophia Antipolis. His specialist subject is Innovating companies. Florent first worked for a high-tech start-up before joining France Telecom as a Project Assistant to work and test new innovating services for mobile telephony. In addition he worked on technology and competitive watch studies, developing his expertise in the telecommunications field and his sense of analysis. Florent then joined Homega Research in 2003, and has worked on various projects in the field of the Connected Home.
Roger Torrenti, CEO
"If you wanted to paint a quick picture of the team that Karine Valin has brought together and developed, you would probably start by describing it as skilled, hard-working and with a keen concern for quality and efficiency. After a closer look, you would quickly add dynamism, enthusiasm, team spirit and steadfast moral values to the list. Finally, you would say it is a youthful team that enjoys work and achievement but also a good laugh from time to time. How could you not feel happy and privileged to work at its side?"
Roger Torrenti obtained his degree in 1976 from the Ecole Centrale Paris and began his career as a research engineer at the French Atomic Energy Commission where he developed an expertise in energy technologies. In 1979 he was appointed manager of a Research Centre of Armines (an applied research institution linked to the Ecole Nationale des Mines de Paris and the French Ministry for Industry) focusing on the use of IT in energy systems. In 1984, Roger founded Sigma Consultants and is still its majority shareholder and CEO. As an expert in the energy and IT fields that his company specializes in, he is often invited to review existing, or to evaluate proposed projects sponsored by such international institutions as the European Commission. Roger Torrenti's personal interests include philosophy, photography, mountaineering and basketball.
Karine Valin, Managing Director
"I started at Sigma in 1999. I decided to join Sigma because of its reputation, but also because Sigma seemed a really lively and enjoyable place to work. One of my interests was also my career prospects and the perspective of promotions was real: Sigma has offered me the chance to have a very challenging career. I was promoted after 6 months to project manager, and then to Marketing Manager. Today, I manage a team of bright and pleasant people as a manager of Homega Research, a division of Sigma Consultants specializing in technologies and services for the home. We are continuously working on new initiatives focusing on the excellent quality of our services. I am committed to supporting my team and focusing on our customers. I also delight in working and I think this is essential!"
Karine Valin graduated from the Fontainebleau Ecole Supérieure de Commerce International (linked to INSEAD) in 1996. She concurrently got a postgraduate diploma in International Marketing at the University. After a study period at the International Business School of Northumbria (UK), she began her career as an export manager, where she was in charge of setting up the commercial export network of a French company, implementing a UK subsidiary and managing the foreign sales force. She joined Sigma Consultants in 1999 and was appointed Marketing Manager in 2001, General Manager of Homega Research in October 2002, and Managing Director in January 2005.
